Mobile entertainment and communication device

ABSTRACT

A mobile entertainment and communication device in a palm-held size housing has a cellular or satellite telephone capable of wireless communication with the Internet and one or more replaceable memory card sockets for receiving a blank memory card for recording data directly from the Internet and, in particular, musical performances that then can be selectively reproduced by the device for the enjoyment of the user, including both audio and visual recordings and reproductions. The device also includes a camera and microphone for recording images and sound within the range of the device that can be wirelessly transmitted, either selectively or automatically to a remote telephone. Further, the device includes sensors for sensing unusual conditions that may also be transmitted to a remote telephone, together with the location of the device as determined by a GPS section of the device.

This is a Division of application Ser. No. 10/719,363, filed Nov. 20,2003, which is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 09/531,356, filedMar. 20, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,681,120, which is aContinuation-In-Part of application Ser. No. 08/846,108, filed Apr. 25,1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,278,884, which are incorporated in thisapplication in full by this reference.

This invention relates to a mobile entertainment and communicationdevice that is readily carried by a person and provides numerousconveniences and features including, but not limited to, a cellular orsatellite telephone with access to the Internet.

A principle object of this invention is to provide a personalentertainment and communication device that is portable and includes acellular or satellite accessible telephone with the ability to accessthe internet, replaceable memory cards for downloading data from theinternet, and means for reproducing such data on the device from thecards. Specifically, the device of this invention is particularlyadapted to download music, images or other data in a wireless mannerfrom the Internet and selectively reproduce such music, images or otherdata from replaceable memory cards for one's personal enjoyment or otheruse.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a mobileentertainment and communication device that wirelessly records data fromthe Internet and selectively reproduces that data, such as music and/orimages, and also provides a portable security device capable ofautomatically communicating with a remote telephone and transmittingemergency data including sounds, pictures, location and similarinformation when selectively activated by the owner or whenautomatically activated by conditions sensed by integral sensors,including conditions such as sudden movement, sounds, light, heat, smokeor the like.

Other and more detailed objects and advantages of the present inventionwill readily appear to those skilled in the art from the detaileddescription and accompanying drawings of the preferred embodiments,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the front of the entertainment andcommunication device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a replaceable memory card for use withthe device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the back of the entertainment andcommunication device of the present invention showing an optional cardlatching device;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the device taken on the line 4-4 in FIG.3; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing of the components of the entertainment andcommunication device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Referring more particularly to the figures, the entertainment andcommunication device, generally designated 100, includes a cellulartelephone or satellite accessible telephone or the like, hereinafterreferred to collectively as a “cellphone”, having a dialing pad 101 withpush buttons for operating the cell phone in a substantiallyconventional manner and also for controlling the operation of othercomponents of the device 100. The cellphone includes a microphone 103and a speaker 125 for using the cellphone as a telephone for verbalcommunications. A display panel 104 is provided on the front of thedevice 100 for displaying images and data, including but not limited tothe conventional data displayed for the use of the cellphone. Thecellphone also includes a dialing memory 113, a dialing section 114, atransmitting/receiving section 115, an antenna 119 and a ring signalcapturing section 122. The microphone 103 and speaker 125 are connectedthrough an audio signal processing section 108 to the microprocessor 112of the device 100. The dialing memory 113, dialing section 114,transmitting/receiving section 115, ring signal capturing section 122and dialing pad 101 are also connected to the microprocessor 112 foroperating the cellphone in a conventional manner, through themicroprocessor 112.

The cellphone of the entertainment and communication device 100 is ofthe type that is capable of making a wireless connection to the Internetfor receiving data therefrom and transmitting data thereto, such as theSamsung® Model No. 3500, Qualcom® No. 1960, Sprint® PCS, or the like,without a hardwire connection through a personal computer or telephoneline.

The entertainment and communication device 100 of the present inventionis provided with a socket 120 for receiving a replaceable memory card200. The opening for the socket 120 may be provided on the side of thedevice 100, as shown at 120A, or at one end of the device 100, as shownat 120B, or both. The memory card 200 is provided with electricalcontacts 201 (see FIG. 2) which are adapted to engage correspondingelectrical contacts (not shown) in the socket 120, which contacts inturn are connected to the microprocessor 112 for communication betweenthe replaceable memory card 200 and the microprocessor 112. The memorycard 200 may be a prerecorded card or a flash (blank) card suitable forrecording data from the microprocessor 112. By appropriately operatingthe cellphone to connect to or access the Internet and then operatingthe memory card control buttons 202, data from the Internet may berecorded on the replaceable memory card 200, such as musicalperformances, images (still or moving), written text or the like(hereinafter referred to as “data”). In addition to the audio data, themusical performance data from the Internet may include images of theperformers or the like, and/or the words of the musical performance.Other audio and visual data also may be downloaded from the Internet tomemory card 200. Subsequent to the recordation of the musicalperformance or other data on the replaceable memory card 200 or upon thepositioning of a prerecorded memory card 200 in a socket 120, the memorycard control buttons 202 may be manipulated to reproduce the musicalperformance or other data with the sound being broadcast by the speaker125 or to earphones (not shown) connected to the earphone jack 121 ortransmitted to wireless earphones (not shown). The device 100 alsoincludes controls, such as on dialing pad 101 or separately, forcontrolling the music volume, balance, selection (skip), equalizationand the like. The images and/or words included in the recording on amemory card 200 will be displayed on the display panel 104.

The memory card 200 is preferably of a high memory capacity and a sizeto fit substantially inside the housing of the device 100 so as not toprotrude therefrom and yet be of substantially the full width of thedevice 100 to maximize the memory capacity of the card 200 substantiallybeyond the memory capacity of conventional prerecorded memory cards,such as for MP3 players. Of course, the width of the device 100 islimited from a practical standpoint to a width that is comfortable inthe palm of an adult person's hand for use as a telephone. Thus, as apractical matter, the width of the memory card is limited to about 1½″to 2″. Similarly, the overall size of the device 100 must besufficiently small to be comfortably carried in a pocket or purse to bemost practical. Further, while the thickness of the card 200 may beincreased somewhat for increasing the memory capacity there is also apractical limit to that increased thickness so that the thickness of thedevice 100 does not become excessive, but it is contemplated that memorycards 200 of about twice the thickness may be provided andinterchangeably installed in the socket 120 for at least doubling thememory capacity or separate sockets, such as sockets 120A and 120B, maybe provided for accommodating memory cards 200 of different thicknesses.Still further, the length of the device 100 is limited to a practicallength and, therefore, the vertical length of the card is similarlylimited. The card 200 and socket 120 may be provided with matchingnon-symmetrical shapes, grooves, ridges or the like for requiring thecard 200 to be inserted into the socket in the correct orientation, suchas the cutoff corner of card 200 shown in FIG. 1 (lower left) and FIG. 2(lower right). The device 100 may also be provided with an integralimage and audio storage memory 116 connected to the microprocessor fortemporary or permanent storage of data, in addition to data storage oncards 200, and the data stored on memory 116 may be reproduced in thesame manner as from replaceable memory cards 200.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 3 and 4, a latching device,generally designated 150, is shown for retaining the replaceable memorycard 200 in the socket 120A and for facilitating the removal of thememory card 200 from the socket 120A. The latching device 150 includes alever 152 pivotally connected at 154 to the back of the housing of thedevice 100, with a tab 156 extending along the side of the device andover a portion of the socket 120A in the closed position. A pin 158extends inwardly from the lever 152 and engages a hole 204 in the memorycard 200. When the latching device 150 is pivoted to the open positionshown in dashed lines in FIG. 4, the memory card 200 may be readilyremoved from socket 120A by placing a finger on the portion of the card200 exposed by opening the latching device 150 or by engaging the hole204 with a finger nail or a pointed implement, such as a pencil or pen.Further, the pin 158 and hole can be sized and relatively positionedsuch that the pin 158 urges the card 200 outwardly upon opening thelatching device. Still further, the socket 120A may be provided with aspring for urging the card 200 outwardly as soon as the card isunlatched. Of course either the tab 156 or pin 158 may be omitted sincethe other (pin or tab, respectively) will retain the card 200 in thesocket 120A. The latching device 150 may be of a width to only cover aportion of the socket 120A, as shown, or of a width to cover the entiresocket (not shown).

Since the device 100 can be wirelessly connected to the internet, it isalso possible to use the device 100 for any other Internet functions,such as sending and receiving e-mail, conducting ebusiness, etc.Further, in view of the recording capability of the device 100, thetelephone conversations on the cellphone may be selectively recorded(one or both sides) and the device can be used for any sound recording,such as for dictation or face-to-face conversations or conferences.Still further, the microprocessor 112 includes means for automaticallyinterrupting the playing of any musical performance being reproduced onthe device 100 when a telephone call is placed or received on thecellphone until the call is completed.

All of the aforedescribed functions and those described hereinafter arepowered by a battery means (not shown) in the device 100 whichpreferably is a single rechargeable battery.

The entertainment and communication device 100 is also provided with acomputer jack 124 connected to the microprocessor for selectivelyconnecting the device 100 directly to a computer, radio, television orCD, DVD, VCR, tape or phonograph record player (not shown) by a hardwire (not shown) for downloading and uploading (where appropriate) toand from the replaceable memory card 200 or fixed memory 116 in thedevice 100.

The entertainment and communication device 100 is also provided withvarious other features for the personal entertainment, communication,security, safety and the like of the person at all times that the personhas the device 100 with him or her. A video camera 102 is connectedthrough an image signal processing section 107 to the microprocessor 112and the camera operation is controlled by button 105, whereby images maybe displayed on the panel 104, recorded on either the integral memory116 or the replaceable memory card 200, or transmitted by the cellphoneto a remote telephone which may be located at a police station, securityoffice, one's own personal computer or the like. The video camera 102 ispreferably a digital camera for electronically capturing images, eitherstill or moving, for minimizing the size and battery power requirements,but also may be an analog type camera. Similarly, an infrared nightvision camera 106 may be provided and connected to the microprocessor112 through an infrared image processing section 109 to record ortransmit images in the same manner as video camera 102, and a lightsensor 118 is connected to the microprocessor 112 for automaticallyselecting the operation of the night vision 106 when the ambient lightis at a very low level. Cameras 102 and 106 will be referred togenerically as a “camera”. The microphone 103 may also be activatedmanually or automatically by the microprocessor 112 when either of thecameras 102 or 106 are activated for recording and/or transmittingsounds within the range of the device 100 synchronously with therecording or transmission of images by one of the cameras.

The entertainment and communication device also includes variousemergency features for use by the person carrying the device. An alarmbutton 123 is provided and may be activated to produce an audible alarmfrom the speaker 125 for dissuading an attacker or intruder oractivating a silent alarm whereby the cellphone is automaticallyoperated to communicate the emergency condition to a remote telephone,such as by dialing “911” or a private security telephone number or thelike. Similarly, one or more sensors 110, such as motion, infrared,ultrasonic, acceleration, sound, light, heat, smoke, carbon monoxide,poisonous gas or the like sensors, are provided with the device 100 andselectively activated for providing either an audible or silent alarm,similar to the functions of the panic alarm button 123 but withoutrequiring operator activation, and the sensors 110 are connected throughthe sensor reading section 111 to the microprocessor 112 for using anyof the functions of the device 100. For example, with the accelerationsensor of sensors 110 activated while a person has the device 100 in anautomobile, the sudden deceleration of the automobile in an accidentcondition would be sensed by the acceleration sensor to cause themicroprocessor 112 to dial an appropriate telephone number stored in thedialing memory 113, such as a “911” or a vehicle rescue number, andtransmit the emergency as well as the location of the device 100 asdetermined by a global positioning satellite (GPS) reading section 117provided with the device, which GPS reading section 117 may also beactivated by the panic alarm 123. Further, if the motion sensor orsimilar sensors 110 are activated and the device 100 is appropriatelypositioned, for example in a hotel room, the motion and/or presence ofan intruder will be sensed and communicated through the sensor readingsection 111 to the microprocessor 112 to activate any desired function,such as an audible alarm from the speaker 125, an automatic dialing of a“911” number, operation of electronic camera 102 or infrared camera 106,operation of the microphone 103, operation of the GPS reading section117 or the like. Similar functions can be performed by the device 100when any of the other sensors are activated to sense a particularcondition, such as heat, smoke, carbon monoxide, poisonous gas or thelike.

Thus, by this invention a palm-sized device provides wirelesscommunication with the Internet for downloading musical and visualentertainment onto a high capacity memory card that is replaceable withother prerecorded or downloaded memory cards, and numerous othercommunication, security, safety and similar functions are selectivelyavailable to the user.

1. A download/upload for use with a cellphone having a jack, comprisinga connection wire including a plug on one end of the connection wire forconnecting to the cellphone jack and means on the other end of theconnection wire for connecting to at least one of a personal computer, atelevision or other device for downloading or uploading data to or fromthe cellphone.